Basket for refrigerator

ABSTRACT

Provided is a basket for a refrigerator. The basket includes a case, a cover, and a rotation guide. The case defines a storage space. The cover is rotatably coupled to the case to selectively open and close the storage space. The rotation guide contacts the cover at one side of the case and increases a contact area in a rotation direction of the cover when the cover rotates.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a basket for a refrigerator.

BACKGROUND ART

A refrigerator generally stores foods in a storage space that is shielded by a refrigerator door in order to keep foods at low temperatures, and enables foods to be stored in a fresh state by cooling the inside of the storage space using cold air generated through heat exchange with refrigerant that circulates through a cooling cycle.

As dietary habits evolve and become more indulgent, refrigerators are being made larger, with diversified functions and configurations in order to improve user convenience.

A plurality of drawers, shelves, and baskets are provided in the storage space and the rear of a refrigerator door in order to conveniently store a wide variety of foods in their optimal states. For this purpose, such drawers, shelves, and baskets divide the inside of the refrigerator into a plurality of storage spaces, and corresponding foods are stored in the storage spaces.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

The present disclosure provides a basket for a refrigerator for minimizing noise generated in an opening and closing operation.

Technical Solution

In one embodiment, a basket for a refrigerator includes: a case forming a receiving space; a cover rotatably coupled to the case, to open or close the receiving space selectively; and a rotation guide formed to contact the cover at one side of the case and increase a contact area in a rotation direction of the cover when the cover rotates.

In another embodiment, a basket for a refrigerator includes: a case coupled to a door; a cover rotatably coupled to the case; and a rotation guide protruding inward from each side of the case; wherein the rotation guide includes: a first guide portion having a contact area between the first guide portion and the cover that increases during a closing operation of the cover; and a second guide portion having a contact area between the second guide portion and the cover that increases during an opening operation of the cover.

In a further embodiment, a basket for a refrigerator includes: a case; a cover rotatably coupled to the case; and a rotation guide formed at the case; wherein the rotation guide includes: a first guide portion guiding a closing of the cover; and a second guide portion guiding an opening of the cover.

Advantageous Effects

In a basket according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the contacting area between lower ends of both sides lower end of the cover and the rotation guide of the case gradually increases in an opening or closing operation, so that frictional force between them gradually increases, which prevents the cover from suddenly opening or closing.

Accordingly, noise and damage generated by collisions due to rapid cover rotation can be minimized. Accordingly, consumer dissatisfaction arising from excessive noise can be prevented, thereby improving user satisfaction.

Moreover, shock from collisions between the cover and the case can be minimized, thereby preventing damage of the cover and improving durability of the basket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present embodiments can be understood clearly with reference to following drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator with a basket and its doors are opened, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a mounting structure for the basket according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the basket.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of a basket when a cover is closed.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of a basket when a cover is opened.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a refrigerator with a basket and its doors are opened, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerator 100 with a basket 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a main body 200 having a storage space 220 and a main body door 300 selectively opening or closing the storage space 220.

Specifically, a barrier 240 is provided inside the main body 200 to divide the inner space of the main body 200 into left and right sections. That is, the barrier 240 divides the storage space 220 of the main body 200 into left and right sections to form a freezer compartment and a refrigeration compartment. According to the shape of the refrigerator 100, the barrier 240 may divide the storage space 220 into upper and lower sections.

In order to store foods, a plurality of drawers, shelves, and baskets are provided in the storage space 220 of the main body 200 and the rear of the main body door 300.

In other words, though not illustrated in detail, a plurality of shelves are provided in the main body 200 to divide the storage space 220 into a plurality of sections, and a plurality of drawers are provided in the main body 200 to form independent receiving spaces.

A basket 400 is provided at the rear of the main body door 300 to store foods such as dairy products. A portion of the basket 400 may be rotatably configured to selectively open or seal the inner space of the basket 400, so that foods stored in the basket 400 can be protected from excessive exposure to cold air and also to inhibit evaporation of moisture.

The basket 400 will be described in detail below.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a mounting structure for the basket 400 according to embodiments of the present disclosure, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the basket 400.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the basket 400 includes a case 500 that forms a receiving space, and a cover 600 that is rotatably coupled to the case 500 for selectively opening or closing the receiving space.

In order to form the receiving space, the case 500 is formed in a substantially hexahedral shape having a fully opened top, a fully opened front, and a partly opened rear. That is, the case 500 includes a bottom 520, sides 540, and a rear 560.

The bottom 520 serves as the floor of the case 500 and is rectangular with a predetermined size. The sides 540 respectively extend a predetermined height vertically from the left and right ends of the bottom 520.

The side 540 is almost triangular when viewed from above. The width of the side 540 widens toward the rear. The rear end of the side 540 may be configured to contact the rear of the main body door 300, so that the basket 400 closely contacts the main body door 300.

A mounting portion 320 is provided at the rear of the main body door 300 to receive a portion of the case 500. In order to receive the rear end of the side 540, the mounting portion 320 protrudes from the rear of the main body door 300 and has a shape corresponding to the shape of the rear end of the side 540.

Specifically, when the basket 400 is mounted on the mounting portion 320, the rear end of the side 540 is fitted to the front end of the mounting portion 320, so that the side of the mounting portion 320 and the side of the basket 400 constitutes a single plane.

The side 540 has a bent portion 542 at its rear side. The bent portion 542 is mounted at the rear of the main body door 300, i.e., the inside of the mounting portion 320 when the case 500 is mounted in the mounting portion 320.

A projection receiving hole 544 is defined at the proximate center of the inner surface of the side 540 to enable the cover 600 mounted in the case 500 to rotate. The projection receiving hole 544 corresponds in size to a projection 662.

The case 500 is provided with a rotation guide 580. The rotation guide 580 protrudes inward from the inner surface of the side 540 to contact one side of the cover 600, specifically the lower end of the cover 600, when the cover 600 rotates.

The thickness of the rotation guide 580 may be equal to or greater than the thickness of a cover side 660 in order that the rotation guide 580 stably contacts the cover 600. The cover 600 is supported by the rotation guide 580 when the cover 600 is opened or closed.

The rotation guide 580 includes a first guide portion 582 that curves outward with respect to the projection receiving hole 544 and a second guide portion 584 that curves inward with respect to the projection receiving hole 544.

The first guide portion 582 is provided at the front of the side of the case 500 and the second guide portion 584 is provided at the rear of the side of the case 500. The second guide portion 584 is continuously formed with the first guide portion 582 and curves in a direction opposite to the direction of the curvature of the first guide portion 582.

Specifically, the first guide portion 582 extends roundly from the front-lower edge of the side 540 to the proximity of the projection receiving hole 544. That is, the first guide portion 582 is approximately quarter circular in shape. The first guide is rounded upward in a convex shape.

The second guide portion 584 extends from the rear end of the first guide portion 582 to the rear end of the side 540 and is rounded downward with a predetermined curvature. That is, the second guide portion 584 is rounded downward in a concave shape.

The rear end of the second guide portion 584 extends a distance equal to the height of the rear 560.

The curvature of the second guide portion 584 corresponds to the curvature of the rear at both sides of the cover 600, so that the cover 600 is stably mounted on the second guide portion 584 when the cover 600 is fully opened.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the rotation guide 580 may protrude inward from the inner surface of the side 540 and the entire portion of the rotation guide 580 may protrude. However, the rotation guide 580 can be formed in a rim shape according to the curved contour of the upper end of the rotation guide 580.

If the rotation guide 580 has a curvature that supports one side of the cover 600 when the cover 600 rotates, the rotation guide 580 can be formed in various shapes.

The cover 600 is rotatably installed at the sides 540. The cover 600 may be made of transparent or semi-transparent material to allow foods stored in the inside of the case 500 to be easily identified from the outside.

Specifically, the cover 600 includes a cover top 620, a cover front 640, and cover sides 660.

The cover top 620 forming the upper portion of the cover 600 has a substantially rectangular shape and shields the opened top of the case 500. The cover front 640 is formed at the front of the cover top 620. The cover front 640 forming the front of the case 500 extends vertically from the front end of the cover top 620 and shields the opened front of the case 500.

A grasping portion 642 is formed at the lower end of the cover front 640. The grasping portion 642 may be formed to protrude forward for grasping convenience.

The cover sides 660 are formed at each side of the cover front 640 and contact the cover front 640 and the cover top 620. Each cover side 660 has a projection 662 that is a rotational center of the cover 600. The projection 662 protrudes vertically outward from the outer surface of the cover side 660 and has a shape corresponding to the shape of the projection receiving hole 544.

The lower portion of the cover side 660 is rounded in order to contact the rotation guide 580 in the opening and closing of the cover 600.

Specifically, the cover side 660 can be divided into a front section and a rear section with respect to the projection 662. A first contacting portion 664 is formed at the front section of the cover side 660, and a second contacting portion 666 is formed at the rear section of the cover side 660.

The first contacting portion 664 contacts the first guide portion 582 of the rotation guide 580 when the cover 600 is closed, so that the shape of the first contacting portion 664 is formed to correspond to the shape of the first guide portion 582. The first contacting portion 664 is formed to be rounded from the front lower end of the cover side 660 to the proximity of the projection 662. The second contacting portion 666 contacts the second guide portion 584 of the rotation guide 580 when the cover 600 is opened, so that the shape of the second contacting portion 666 is formed to correspond to the shape of the second guide portion 584. The second contacting portion 666 is formed to be rounded from the rear end of the first contacting portion 664 (adjacent to the projection 662) to the rear upper portion of the cover side 660.

Hereinafter, the function of the refrigerator basket 400 having the above-described configuration will be described.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the basket 400 when the cover 60 is closed and FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of the basket 400 when the cover 600 is opened.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, when the cover 600 is closed, a state is maintained in which the first contacting portion 664 of the cover side 660 contacts the first guide portion 582 of the rotation guide 580.

In this state, the lower end of the cover front 640 is spaced from the front lower end of the case 500, which prevents colliding therebetween when the cover 600 is closed.

When the cover 600 is closed, in order to store foods inside the case 500 or remove foods therefrom, a user grasps the grasping portion 642 and lifts the cover 600. Then, the cover 600 rotates in a clockwise direction about the projection 662.

In the clockwise rotation of the cover 600, the first contacting portion 664 gradually recedes from the first guide portion 582 and the contact area between them gradually decreases.

At the same time, the second contacting portion 666 gradually approaches the second guide portion 584 and the contacting area between the second contacting portion 666 and the second guide portion 584 gradually increases.

Specifically, with the clockwise rotation of the cover 600, the second contacting portion 666 of the cover 600 descends and contacts the second guide portion 584 from its left end.

As described above, as the contact area between the second contacting portion 666 and the second guide portion 584 gradually increases, frictional force between them increases, so that the cover 600 rotates at a suitably slow speed. Therefore, the cover 600 is prevented from being violently opened, thereby minimizing noise generated from colliding of the cover 600 and the case 500.

When the cover 600 is fully opened, the second contacting portion 666 of the cover 600 is mounted on the second guide portion 584 of the case 500.

Then, the cover 600 can maintain its opening state, which prevents sudden closing of the cover 600 while food is being stored or removed.

Conversely, in order to close the cover 600, a user grasps the grasping portion 642 of the cover 600 and pulls down the cover 600. Then, the cover 600 rotates in counter clockwise direction.

In counter clockwise rotation of the cover 600, the second contacting portion 666 of the cover 600 gradually recedes from the second guide portion 584 of the case 500, and at the same time, the first contacting portion 664 of the cover 600 gradually approaches the first guide portion 582 of the case 500.

Accordingly, the first contacting portion 664 begins to contact the first guide portion 582 from its right end, and the contact area between the first contacting portion 664 and the first guide portion 582 gradually increases.

Therefore, the cover 600 can rotate at a suitable speed counterclockwise, and noise generated from the cover 600 and the case 500 colliding can be minimized. 

1. A basket for a refrigerator, comprising: a case defining a storage space; a cover rotatably coupled to the case, to selectively open or close the storage space; and a rotation guide formed to contact the cover at a side of the case and increase a contact area in a rotating direction of the cover when the cover rotates.
 2. The basket according to claim 1, wherein the rotation guide is disposed at a lower side portion of the cover.
 3. The basket according to claim 1, wherein the cover is supported by the rotation guide when the cover is in an opened or closed position.
 4. The basket according to claim 1, wherein the rotation guide comprises: a first guide portion guiding a closing of the cover; and a second guide portion guiding an opening of the cover.
 5. The basket according to claim 4, wherein the first guide portion and the second guide portion are rounded at different curvatures.
 6. The basket according to claim 5, wherein the cover comprises: a first contacting portion corresponding in shape to the first guide portion; and a second contacting portion corresponding in shape to the second guide portion.
 7. The basket according to claim 5, wherein the first guide portion is rounded upward in a convex shape, and the second guide portion is rounded downward in a concave shape.
 8. The basket according to claim 6, wherein the second guide portion and the second contacting portion are separated when the cover is closed, and the first guide portion and the first contacting portion are separated when the cover is opened.
 9. The basket according to claim 4, wherein the first guide portion and the second guide portion are differentiated with respect to a rotation axis of the cover.
 10. The basket according to claim 1, wherein the rotation guide protrudes inward from the side of the case.
 11. The basket according to claim 1, wherein a lower end of the cover and a lower portion of the case are separated when the cover is closed.
 12. The basket according to claim 1, wherein, a portion of the cover that contacts the rotation guide has a thickness equal to or less than a thickness of the rotation guide.
 13. A basket for a refrigerator comprising: a case coupled to a door; a cover rotatably coupled to the case; and a rotation guide protruding inward from each side of the case; wherein the rotation guide comprises: a first guide portion having a contact area contacting the cover that increases during closing of the cover; and a second guide portion having a contact area contacting the cover that increases during opening of the cover.
 14. The basket according to claim 13, wherein the cover is supported by the first guide portion when the cover is in a closed position, and the cover is supported by the second guide portion when the cover is in an opened position.
 15. The basket according to claim 13, wherein the cover comprises: a first contacting portion corresponding in shape to the first guide portion; and a second contacting portion corresponding in shape to the second guide portion.
 16. The basket according to claim 13, wherein the first guide portion is rounded upward in a convex shape, and the second guide portion is rounded downward in a concave shape.
 17. A basket for a refrigerator comprising: a case; a cover rotatably coupled to the case; and a rotation guide formed at the case; wherein the rotation guide comprises: a first guide portion guiding a closing of the cover; and a second guide portion guiding an opening of the cover.
 18. The basket according to claim 17, wherein the second guide portion is continuously formed with the first guide portion and curves in a direction opposite to the direction of the curvature of the first guide portion.
 19. The basket according to claim 17, wherein the first guide portion is rounded upward at a frontal portion of either side of the case, and the second guide portion is rounded downward in a concave shape from a rear end of the first guide portion to a rear of the case.
 20. The basket according to claim 17, wherein the rotation guide contacts a side of the cover during rotating of the cover. 